ToursByLocals BlogPosts
Five Ways To Come Home With Better Vacation Stories
Nov 16 2019
You know that feeling we all get that time's passing faster? Scientists say one of the reasons our childhood felt like it lasted so much longer than the decades that followed is because our brain was so busy at the time, processing new experiences. As an adult, time seems to slow when we step out of our routines and spend time doing things we haven't done before. With this logic, we can argue that travel - with all its unfamiliar sights, senses, sounds and opportunities for memory-making - makes time slow down.
To keep our travel fresh and invigorating, and to come home with new memories made and stories to tell, we want to truly step out of our routines and open ourselves to the possibilities travel affords. So today we're suggesting five simple actions you can take to increase your chances of creating unique, unforgettable moments when you travel.
Maybe it sounds obvious, but the older we get, the less likely we are to be impulsive about trying something new. But traveling is the perfect time to do this, as you're already removed from your regular surroundings and routines. And the "something new" can really be anything! Maybe it's a food or drink you've never had before. Maybe it's taking a half-hour ride on an e-scooter, an increasingly popular way of getting around European cities. Maybe it's even a physical adventure, like para-sailing or swimming in a ceynote! Push yourself a little bit out of your comfort zone, raise your pulse and enjoy a new experience.
A car might be the fastest way to get from A to B, but what's the rush? Planning out a journey on public transit in a new place means you have to engage your brain and pay close attention to your route and your surroundings. It's also a great way to be a part of the daily life in the place you're visiting. Commuters, families, young and old all take public transit to get around, and it can be a fun way to witness the fabric and small daily dramas of a city. Bonus: often the city's best street performers entertain on subway platforms!
Another great way to open yourself up to serendipity is to simply walk. Many of us have a tendency to over-plan our travels: to rush from one attraction to the next to make sure we're seeing all we can see each day. But often the best stories come from unplanned moments - a beautiful piece of street art stumbled upon, a market we didn't know existed, a walk through a park where a local festival we didn't know about was taking place. Open yourselves up to these unplanned adventures.
It's your fast track to making a new friend! A new friend who delights in conversation, and sharing their favourite parts of the city with you. Guides are great travel companions to make a foreign culture more accessible, and to help you feel safe while simultaneously stepping just a bit out of your comfort zone. We often hear cruise ship passengers who hired a local guide say they loved having different stories to tell at the end of their day than the hundreds of passengers who had been herded around on a scheduled bus tour, all seeing and doing the same things.
Sometimes we crave a bit of comfort and routine when we travel. After all, we're immersed in different surroundings 24/7, so wanting to spend a few minutes in a familiar place is understandable. But avoiding your typical Starbucks order to see what's on hand at the local, independent cafes - and trying to order in a different language! - will likely create a memory no Starbucks visit ever could.
And on a final note: don't worry if things go "wrong" on your travels. Any seasoned traveler can tell you that it's often the worst situations that end up becoming the absolute best travel stories, down the road, when humour and hindsight kick in.
1. Do something you've never done
Maybe it sounds obvious, but the older we get, the less likely we are to be impulsive about trying something new. But traveling is the perfect time to do this, as you're already removed from your regular surroundings and routines. And the "something new" can really be anything! Maybe it's a food or drink you've never had before. Maybe it's taking a half-hour ride on an e-scooter, an increasingly popular way of getting around European cities. Maybe it's even a physical adventure, like para-sailing or swimming in a ceynote! Push yourself a little bit out of your comfort zone, raise your pulse and enjoy a new experience.
2. Use public transit
A car might be the fastest way to get from A to B, but what's the rush? Planning out a journey on public transit in a new place means you have to engage your brain and pay close attention to your route and your surroundings. It's also a great way to be a part of the daily life in the place you're visiting. Commuters, families, young and old all take public transit to get around, and it can be a fun way to witness the fabric and small daily dramas of a city. Bonus: often the city's best street performers entertain on subway platforms!
3. Take time to wander
Another great way to open yourself up to serendipity is to simply walk. Many of us have a tendency to over-plan our travels: to rush from one attraction to the next to make sure we're seeing all we can see each day. But often the best stories come from unplanned moments - a beautiful piece of street art stumbled upon, a market we didn't know existed, a walk through a park where a local festival we didn't know about was taking place. Open yourselves up to these unplanned adventures.
4. Hire a local guide
It's your fast track to making a new friend! A new friend who delights in conversation, and sharing their favourite parts of the city with you. Guides are great travel companions to make a foreign culture more accessible, and to help you feel safe while simultaneously stepping just a bit out of your comfort zone. We often hear cruise ship passengers who hired a local guide say they loved having different stories to tell at the end of their day than the hundreds of passengers who had been herded around on a scheduled bus tour, all seeing and doing the same things.
5. Skip Starbucks
Sometimes we crave a bit of comfort and routine when we travel. After all, we're immersed in different surroundings 24/7, so wanting to spend a few minutes in a familiar place is understandable. But avoiding your typical Starbucks order to see what's on hand at the local, independent cafes - and trying to order in a different language! - will likely create a memory no Starbucks visit ever could.
And on a final note: don't worry if things go "wrong" on your travels. Any seasoned traveler can tell you that it's often the worst situations that end up becoming the absolute best travel stories, down the road, when humour and hindsight kick in.